Missing Mass

[lifeisbeautiful]

“Full knowledge” is not ALWAYS required. See Leviticus 5:17 …

• … If any one sin, and do any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done, though he knew it not*, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity …

… and CCC 1791 …

• … when a man “takes little trouble to find out what is true and good, or when conscience is by degrees almost blinded through the habit of committing sin.” In such cases, the person IS culpable for the evil he commits* …

… the above are direct quotes.

You are right in saying that full knowledge is not always required to sin, but what others are pointing out is that it* is *required for a sin to be mortal.
From the Catechism:
1857 For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met: "Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent."131
1859 Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent. It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God’s law. It also implies a consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice. Feigned ignorance and hardness of heart133 do not diminish, but rather increase, the voluntary character of a sin.
1862 One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law, or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent.

One has to make reasonable efforts to get to Mass. But extraordinary efforts (though commendable) would not be essential. So, plainly, if one has tried the best they can (within reason) to get to Mass, but can’t (at least not without walking 16 miles, so to speak) then they are excused. Still, it is appropriate to do what one can on Sunday to spend some time in prayer as a way of offering appropriate worship.

I have no idea of what the OP’s situation is, but some times one may have to go out of one’s way (not sure if you would consider that a reasonable effort or an extraordinary one) to make it to Mass if one is not excused for a serious reason. I guess I was a bit confused as to what you considered a reasonable effort and an extraordinary one. For example, I would consider getting a cab a reasonable effort (I know more than one person who has done just this when faced with similar situation, that’s why I suggested it), though am not sure if you would classify it as an extraordinary one.
The Catechism does not mention reasonable effort as a criteria, but it does mention serious reasons:
2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

To the OP, I would not try to give you advice as to whether or not it is a mortal sin or not, but you can evaluate yourself whether or not the three parts of a mortal sin were there, and if they were not, then you can be calm to know it was not mortal. If you are not sure, just mention your sitiuation to your priest in confession and you will be fine. I would mention it anyways, since even if it is not mortal, grave matter without one of the other two criteria would be a venial sin still, according to the point quoted above.

 

[chicago]

This was discuss on these forums in the past and ignorance or lack of knowledge does not excuse one of guilt in ALL cases.

I’m off to church soon so I don’t have the time to do a search but both scripture and the CCC support that postion – that lack of knowledge does not excuse one of guilt in ALL cases.

That’s why it is best to let the priest make the final determination.

EDITTED TO ADD: See Leviticus 5:17 …

• … If any one sin, and do any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done, though he knew it not*, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity …

… and CCC 1791 …

• … when a man “takes little trouble to find out what is true and good, or when conscience is by degrees almost blinded through the habit of committing sin.” In such cases, the person is culpable for the evil he commits* …

Obviously, one has an obligation to form his conscience responsibly. And, if one has not, then there is responsibility for not doing so, as well as any responsibility which exists for the actual objective fault. And, yet, for a sin to be “mortal” there must be knowledge and a free act of the will. Otherwise, it is venial, even if the objective material is of serious matter.

If you want to do the entire let’s throw a scripture verse out to prove a point thing, then perhaps the one about those who knew better receiving more lashes than those in ignorance would be appropriate.

I think that the key is always one of maintaining balance. We neither want to get lax nor scrupulous. We don’t need to elevate technicalities over essences. The best one can do is the best he can do. After that, it’s not a matter to fret over too much. Let go and let God.

 

[Sir_Knight]

I see a difference between these two situations …

A) I know on Monday that I might have a problem in getting to mass on Sunday and I immediately contact friends, family and maybe even the church to see if somebody can take me.

B) I find out on Monday that I might have a problem in getting to mass on Sunday but I don’t start making alternative plans until the week-end or Saturday night.

… Situation ‘B’ clearly shows a lack of taking the matter seriously as the CCC mentions and just because I don’t think that it is not a mortal does not mean that it isn’t per CCC 1791.

 

[chicago]

I have no idea of what the OP’s situation is, but some times one may have to go out of one’s way (not sure if you would consider that a reasonable effort or an extraordinary one) to make it to Mass if one is not excused for a serious reason.

Obviously. One ought not excuse oneself for a light reason or without making some effort to attend, even a bit beyond the normal course of action under typical circumstances, perhaps.

I guess I was a bit confused as to what you considered a reasonable effort and an extraordinary one.

It will differ for each person according to their particular circumstances and state in life.

For example, I would consider getting a cab a reasonable effort (I know more than one person who has done just this when faced with similar situation, that’s why I suggested it), though am not sure if you would classify it as an extraordinary one.

Again, it all depends upon the situation. What if the cab ride is 12 miles and costs $35? Well, for someone with the resources, that might be a reasonable effort. For someone for whom that would be a burden financially or whatever, then it would be extraordinary.

Let’s take another example. Say an older person in the city can get on a bus to go to Mass if their ride doesn’t show up. Normally, that may be expected as reasonable effort. But what if there is 3 inches of snow on the ground and it is risky for them to trudge through? Well, now, it becomes extraordinary. It is commendable if they are able and choose to do it, anyway, but it isn’t strictly necessary under the trying circumstances. One might argue that they could take a cab. Alright, fair enough. And where is the $12 each way going to come from considering that person’s fixed income?

It is not possible to adjudicate in generalities, therefore, but only in specifics. But the principle applies whatever the case.

The Catechism does not mention reasonable effort as a criteria, but it does mention serious reasons:
2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

If you can not attend Mass without making an extraordinary effort which is beyond what is reasonably expectable, then that is certainly a “serious reason” for failing to attend.

I would mention it anyways, since even if it is not mortal, grave matter without one of the other two criteria would be a venial sin still, according to the point quoted above.

While, objectively, one might say that the “matter” is sinful, it is not even venial in nature of personal culpability if one is excused from the obligation.

 

[chicago]

I see a difference between these two situations …

A) I know on Monday that I might have a problem in getting to mass on Sunday and I immediately contact friends, family and maybe even the church to see if somebody can take me.

B) I find out on Monday that I might have a problem in getting to mass on Sunday but I don’t start making alternative plans until the week-end or Saturday night.

… Situation ‘B’ clearly shows a lack of taking the matter seriously as the CCC mentions and just because I don’t think that it is not a mortal does not mean that it isn’t per CCC 1791.

Again, it all comes down to what extent one is required to go the extra yard. While, obviously, some reasonable effort ought to be put into it, at some point it goes over a line where one wouldn’t be strictly obligated to go absolutely all out, unconditionally, let alone to get too pent up over it.

 

[chicago]

As I said before, if a person knows in advance of difficulties in getting to mass and only begins to make reasonable efforts a day or two before, their chances of making it to mass becomes more limited than if they began those efforts sooner. By starting as early as possible, a way MIGHT have been found to go to mass but waiting until the last minutes, there might have been no reasonable way to get to mass.

Which is why we should leave it up to the priest in confession to make that determination.

I suppose that is fair enough of an assessment. Though, again, more by way of offering the concern to priest in honestly placing the matter before God and searching of spiritual direction. (Aside from the fact that the priest may or may not offer worthwhile, helpful advice.) They key here is to do the best one reasonably can without getting scrupulous.

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

If you can not attend Mass without making an extraordinary effort which is beyond what is reasonably expectable, then that is certainly a “serious reason” for failing to attend.

I guess the terminology ordinary/extraordinary just seem more along the lines of complacent/proactive to me. I just go back to thinking of the days when people walked miles to go to Mass (I am not saying the OP should walk on an interstate, lol, not a good idea), what was reasonable/extraordinary back then?

While, objectively, one might say that the “matter” is sinful, it is not even venial in nature of personal culpability if one is excused from the obligation.

Exactly, but I don’t feel like any of us are in the position to tell the OP if he/she has a serious reason since we do not know all the specifics, it should be up to the OP with the information from our Catholic Church offered (3 requirements for mortal sin) and possibly with the guidance of their spiritual director or confessor if they are not sure.

 

[dixieagle]

Let’s play “what if” …

We are to make every reasonable effort to not miss mass on Sunday. If I know mid-week there is a chance of missing mass on Sunday, I have more opportunity to make reasonable efforts to avoid missing mass. I can call up friends, call the church to see if there is anyone passing by me on their way to church that would be willing to take me, etc. There is less chance of that happening if I wait until the last minute.

If one waits until the last minute to make reasonable attempts, it MIGHT be a sin for not making those reasonable attempts sooner when there was a higher chance of success.

Which is why I don’t make the final judgment whether or not the post’er might have committed a sin or not – because it is not my place. Best to leave it to a priest who has the authority to determine if it was a sin or not and to forgive the sin if one was committed.

The worst that will happen is that the priest will say that it was not a sin. Always best to be sure when dealing with a possible mortal sin.

I think it would be impossible for this to be a mortal sin; let’s not forget the “requirements”:

1. the sin must have grave matter.
2. it must be committed with full knowledge.
3. it must be committed willingly, with full consent.

At most, the “sin” might involve procrastination about seeking alternatives.

While the obligation to attend Mass is most serious, we need to be careful about seeing MORTAL sin where there is none. Confession is always good for the soul, though

 

[LaLucia]

I am now going to play detective and notice the clues. The young man said that he knew he might have car trouble on the day before Mass. He should have tried calling his Parish and ask for help. I am sure someone would have gone out of their way to give him a ride to church.
Another possibility is that some Parishes go and provide a Mass to Nursing Homes so maybe the Priest might have advised him to go there instead of the church if there was one close to his home.

Another possibility is that he still could have taken the risk of driving the car even though it gets over heated. He just had to carry extra water for the radiator. I am sure his father is still driving the car around.

Another possibility is that he could have asked a neighbor to give him a ride to the church as a favor. Then ask one of the church members to give him a ride home. Or… waited for the Priest to give him a ride home if possible.
People get to know eachother in church so I am sure he has met some people to get friendly with. We don’t live in an isolated world when it comes to attending church.

My main concern is that if this young man believes that if the car breaks down again he will not have to worry about not attending church because it is just a small sin and not a mortal sin.
See what I am getting at.

I am not perfect myself when it comes to attending church so I am not throwing any stones. I am just trying to see all possiblites to help advise this young man.

 

[Sir_Knight]

I think it would be impossible for this to be a mortal sin; let’s not forget the “requirements”:

1. the sin must have grave matter.
2. it must be committed with full knowledge.
3. it must be committed willingly, with full consent.

At most, the “sin” might involve procrastination about seeking alternatives.

While the obligation to attend Mass is most serious, we need to be careful about seeing MORTAL sin where there is none.

Let’s also not forget …

• … If any one sin, and do any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done, though he knew it not*, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity … – Leviticus 5:17

… and …

• … when a man “takes little trouble to find out what is true and good, or when conscience is by degrees almost blinded through the habit of committing sin.” In such cases, the person is culpable for the evil he commits* … – CCC 1791

 

[Sir_Knight]

I am now going to play detective and notice the clues.

Can I play too.

The young man said that he knew he might have car trouble on the day before Mass. He should have tried calling his Parish and ask for help.

True. Failure to do so MIGHT make it sinful if mass is missed.

Another possibility is that he still could have taken the risk of driving the car even though it gets over heated. He just had to carry extra water for the radiator. I am sure his father is still driving the car around.

If the car is being driven for other reasons, then an attempt should have been made to go to mass as well. If the car was not being driven for other reasons, then it should not have been risked to go to mass either.

My main concern is that if this young man believes that if the car breaks down again he will not have to worry about not attending church because it is just a small sin and not a mortal sin. See what I am getting at.

Exactly my point.

 

[Catholicracer]

First off I want to thank everyone for there replies. I first want to say that I saw where someone said that if I risk driving the car other places that I should risk it to mass. I wont risk driving that car anywhere. My Dad does but I wont. I tried to get a ride but but I couldnt. I would have gotten a cab but since I had about 50 cents I know I cant afford one. Even tho there are some of you that wont beleave me I did try to get a ride and I am already sstarting to try to get a ride for next week. Now I have to try to get a ride to confession since its a mortal sin and according to you I didnt try hard enough. I really did all I thought I could do. And I prayed about it and felt peaceful that I had done what I could. That is until I came back on here and saw that “I was not trying hard enough” not all of you said that but the ones who did know who they are. I am going to ask a mod to close this topic. this is the second time I have asked a simple question on here and next think I know I am the bad guy.

 

[Sir_Knight]

According to what you said, you made every reasonable effort to make it to mass and it is MOSTLIKELY not a sin – neither mortal or venal. And I wouldn’t make a special trip to confession over it but I would mention it at my next confession. If it was not a sin, the priest will tell you so and if it MIGHT have been a sin, the priest can absolve you of it. Either way, you walk out of there with a clean soul and zero doubt.

I fail to see why that is not the best route to take.

 

[LaLucia]

I don’t think you are a bad guy. You asked us a simple question and we all came up with different ideas for you to ponder.
Next time you go to Mass you should speak to the Priest about your transportation problem and see what advise he gives you.
He may have a better idea than we did for you.

I would be interested in finding out what the Priest says to you since he may have a great idea that I haven’t heard of.
Like I have said… I am not perfect myself.

 

[LittleOne1]

If you have a good intention to go to mass, but are prevented due to circumstances you cannot control, than no sin. If you could maybe, talk to a friend or couple that goes and see if you can get a ride. Good luck!

 

[chicago]

I guess the terminology ordinary/extraordinary just seem more along the lines of complacent/proactive to me.

I tend to think of the terms more in the way of which they are employed when it comes to healthcare decisions and moral theology where there is an obligation to take ordinary steps, but not necessarily extraordinary ones.